Andra Wilkinson

Andra Wilkinson

Research Scientist, Chapel Hill, NC

Areas Of Expertise

Education & Certification

Ph.D., Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Andra Wilkinson, PhD, MSPH, is a research scientist dedicated to improving how adolescents transition into young adulthood. Andra has led numerous studies, ranging from a cost effectiveness analysis of depression screening, to an investigation (using a large national data set) of how social norms for boys can make them more likely to binge drink and use marijuana, to several performance management projects. Prior to Child Trends, Andra worked in implementation science for Kaiser Permanente and in the emergency rooms of two different hospitals, where she gained her in-depth knowledge of the U.S. health care system and its intersection with the criminal justice system, homelessness, and various social programs. She is interested in understanding and preventing the events that can derail an adolescent’s transition to adulthood—including incarceration, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancy, and mental health issues—and ensuring that the science of prevention is translated into practice.